Trips

Holland America: South America and Antarctica Cruise

January 9-31, 2020

This January we set out to do Holland America's South America and Antarctica cruise that was so rudely interrupted by Marge's pneumonia last year at this time. We call this cruise the "Antarctica Drive-by" because the larger cruise ships are not allowed to land passengers anywhere on Antarctica. Fortunately, we did the OAT trip that allows you to set foot on the Antarctic land mass (our 7th continent) and many of the associated islands in December-January 2012-13. This cruise was a great trip. You still experience the grandeur of the Antarctic, really indescribable. The only thing you miss is walking amongst the thousands of penguins (and the smell).

Itinerary

Trip Map
January 8-9	Fly to Santiago, Chile
January 10-11	Puerto San Antonio; At Sea
January 12	Puerto Montt: Artesano Angelmo; Escultura Sentadas Frente al Mar
January 13	Puerto Chacabuco
January 14-15	Cruising the Chilean Fjords: Tempanos Glacier
January 16	Punta Arenas
January 17	Glacier Alley; Ushuaia, Argentina
January 18	Cape Horn; the Drake Passage
January 19	The Antarctic Experience; Deception Island
January 20-23	The Land; Icebergs; Whales; Birds, Penguins, and Seals
January 24-25	The Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas): Bluff Cove Penguin Rookery; Town of Stanley
January 26-27-28	At Sea; Puerto Madryn
January 29	Montevideo, Uruguay
January 30-31, February 1	Buenos Aires; Fly Home

Holland America: South America and Antarctica Cruise
Wed., 1/8/20 - Green Valley to Santiago, Chile After a 25 min. drive to Tucson's airport, we flew American Airlines to Los Angeles at noon and then Latam to Santiago, Chile overnight. How wonderful to leave home and be sitting at the gate in about 40 min. - after all those years of negotiating the mountain passes in all weather, often having to stay overnight in Denver, needing 2 hours to travel, etc. Thurs., 1/9 - Santiago, Chile to San Antonio, Chile Arrival in Santiago, at 7 AM, was uneventful. The Holland America agents directed us to the shuttle to the ship dock in San Antonio. The hour and twenty minute bus ride was broken up with a “technical stop” (potty break) at a Chilean winery (with gift shop, of course). The San Antonio cruise terminal sits in the middle of the busy container/cargo port. After checking in, we sat in the terminal until it was time to board. At check-in we were informed that the itinerary was changed because the barge that refuels the ship was “unable to come down from Valparaiso because of rough seas.” The ship had to refuel from tank trucks (57 of them) which took much longer. So instead of departing at 6pm, our ship spent the night in San Antonio and didn’t leave until about 2pm the next day. This meant we did not stop in Castro where Marge spent 4 days in the hospital last year. Gale wanted to revisit and show Marge what she did not see last year. Disappointing!
Flag of Chile	Typical license plate
	Map of the port and town
Our cabin	Cute pool decor
The working port is fascinating to watch
	Onboard, at last. Had a glass of wine at the Mariner welcome event, attended the mandatory life boat muster drill, and went to “open seating” dinner at 6:45. We are trying open seating for the first time because the late seating in the upper dining room is often not over until after 9:30. A little late for we older folks. Fri., 1/10 - San Antonio and At Sea After breakfast in the dining room, we went to the terminal building to use the free Wi-Fi. One of the terminal employees suggested a walking direction and, since it was a beautiful day, we set out and walked along the sea looking at all the small fishing boats and kiosks and people selling souvenirs, clothes, snacks, and fish. It was very colorful and entertaining.
Every cruiser's dream	Most of the ship's passengers in the terminal with Wi-Fi
The Port	Lots of fishing boats
Gulls	More fishing boats
The market area	Fish for sale
Filleting the fish	I think you call this a working market
Shellfish, etc.	Veggies
Crabs	More filleting
Beautiful veggies	The Zaandam stayed in San Antonio until 2 PM even though fueling was completed yesterday afternoon. Finally, she was ready to sail-away - with the help of a tugboat or two.
Our tugboat	Container ship being loaded
The way out to sea	Once out of port, the sea was rough for the rest of the day. We put on our seabands and decided to go to dinner in the Lido (buffet restaurant) so we didn’t have to stay for a two hour meal. Spaghetti and bread made our stomachs feel better, but we took Dramamine or Bonine and slept well.

Sat., 1/11 - At Sea

The sea remained rough all day, but we managed without more medicine. The day was spent reading, resting, and attending lectures. Today's were about Chile's volcanoes and earthquakes, as well as the regular presentation concerning what to see and do in the next port we visit.

Tonight was the first of four Gala nights on this cruise (they used to be called "Formal" nights). It was preceded by cocktails with the captain (free champaign) and then a four course dinner.

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